Steve Young and Scott Mitchell are the highest profile former Utah college players entering the 1994 season. Both are on the hotseat, as fans in their respective cities - San Francisco and Detroit - are expecting big things and perhaps even a Super Bowl appearance.
Then there's Brandt Boyer, a player most Utah college football fans have never even heard of. Five years ago he was playing 1A high school football for North Summit. Now he's fighting for a starting middle linebacker job for the AFC powerhouse Miami Dolphins.Major college recruiters weren't exactly clamoring to sign Boyer after his career at North Summit, so he went to Snow in Ephraim. After a successful junior college stint he went to Arizona and became a member of the Desert Swarm defense. Boyer was drafted in the sixth round by the Dolphins and is now in a battle for playing time.
"He's just one of those kids that saw an opportunity and went after it full bore," said Rick Harrison, Boyer's high school coach who is now at Tooele. "The kid has worked hard and he deserves it."
The list of Utah college players in the NFL is dwindling a bit, as veterans like Greg Kragen (Utah State), Jason Buck (BYU), Vai Sikahema (BYU), Leon White (BYU), Bob Gagliano (Utah State) and Mo Elewonibi (BYU) are out of the league. Younger players including Todd Herget, Scott Brumfield and Gary Pay of BYU; Utah's Bryan Rowley, Blaine Berger and Anthony Davis; Utah State's Rich Tylski, Israel Byrd and Jed DeVries and Weber State's Jamie Martin were in training camps but were released. Byrd was re-signed by the Saints for their practice squad, and DeVries was signed by Cleveland and placed on its practice squad.
Here's a list of the players with local ties on opening day NFL rosters:
JIM McMAHON: Arizona Cardinals (quarterback, BYU) - The spunky 13-year veteran is now with his fifth different team. After starting 12 games last season for the Vikings, McMahon will be the Cardinals' backup for Steve Beuerlein.
JAMAL ANDERSON: Atlanta Falcons (running back, Utah) - After tearing up WAC defenses the second half of last season, Anderson, a seventh-round pick, was impressive enough in camp to make the team. Anderson is listed as third string in Atlanta's one-back offense. He carried the ball 17 times for 76 yards, made six catches for 30 yards and had a 45-yard kickoff return in preseason games.
LEE JOHNSON: Cincinnati Bengals (punter, BYU) - The 10-year veteran was seventh in the NFL last season with a 43.9 per punt average.
PATRICK NEWMAN: Cleveland Browns (receiver, Utah State) - Newman begins his fourth season in the NFL with his third team. Last season as a backup for the Saints he caught eight passes for 121 yards.
SCOTT MITCHELL: Detroit Lions (quarterback, Utah) - The pressure will be on the Springville Rifle to produce after signing a three-year $11 million free agent contract. Mitchell, in his fifth season in the NFL but first as a regular starter, completed 31 of 56 passes for 471 yards and five touchdowns during the preseason.
TY DETMER: Green Bay Packers (quarterback, BYU) - The former Heisman winner is in a battle with ex-Washington Husky Mark Brunnell to be the backup to Brett Favre. He completed 21 of 43 passes for 282 yards and two touchdowns in the preseason.
AL SMITH: Houston Oilers (linebacker, Utah State) - Smith, an eight-year veteran, started all 16 games for the Buddy Ryan's Oiler defense last season. Ryan is gone, but Smith should again be a regular for Houston.
DERWIN GRAY: Indianapolis Colts (defensive back, BYU) - Gray is beginning his third professional season. After playing in 11 games last season, none as a starter, Gray enters this year as the Colts' starting strong safety.
LOUIE AGUIAR: Kansas City Chiefs (punter, Utah State) - After averaging 38.4 yards per punt for the Jets last year, Aguiar was signed as a free agent by the Chiefs.
BRANDT BOYER: Miami Dolphins (linebacker, Snow) - It's a long way from 1A football, but Boyer, a rookie, is the second-string middle linebacker for Don Shula's club.
ALFRED PUPUNU: San Diego Chargers (tight end, Weber State) - Beginning his fourth professional season, Pupunu is the starting tight end for the Chargers. He started seven games last year and played in all 16. He caught 13 passes for 142 yards in '93.
STEVE YOUNG: San Francisco 49ers (quarterback, BYU) - The '92 NFL MVP is expected to keep the Niners near the top of the NFL in total offense once again.
BART OATES: San Francisco 49ers (center, BYU) - The all-pro veteran took a pay cut to jump from the Giants to the 49ers. He will be snapping the ball to his former college teammate Young this year.
MIKE KEIM: Seattle Seahawks (offensive line, BYU) - The three-year veteran opens the year as a backup tackle.
KURT GOUVEIA: Washington Redskins (linebacker, BYU) - After leading the Redskins in tackles last season Gouveia was released in June and re-signed in July - with a $500,000 pay cut. He will still make $500,000 this year, however, after making a million last year.
KURT HAWS: Washington Redskins (tight end, Utah) - The rookie fourth-round draft pick will likely be a backup this season.
TREVOR MATICH: Washington Redskins (center, BYU) - The 10-year veteran is slated to be a backup but will handle the long-snapping duties.